Prologue
Kyra closed her eyes, letting a deep sigh pass her lips. It was all she could do to hold herself together. She could feel the tears threatening to fall and knew if she let them, they would never stop. Chelsea's parents were only a few feet from her and she had sworn to be brave for them. After a few moments, Kyra opened her eyes; half hoping that when she looked up, everything would be different. She bit her lip, realizing it was still there. Chelsea's casket was ten feet from her, the headstone beside it reading her name and last week's date. Kyra inhaled sharply, the tears pricking at the back of her eyes. Chelsea's picture was displayed on the other side of the grave. She was wearing her uniform, the yellow and black colors of her tie just barely visible. A smile played at Kyra's lips as she remembered how long it had taken to get her to smile for the picture.
Chelsea had always been difficult. She was stubborn and independent and incredibly quick witted. Kyra had spent nearly twenty minutes taking her picture, trying desperately to get her to smile. It wasn't until someone behind her had made a joke that Kyra was able to get one of Chelsea smiling. That was nearly four months ago.
Kyra's eyes flicked back to the casket and she couldn't hold the tears back anymore. Her best friend was gone and she would never be able to hear her laugh again. She could still hear her scream echoing in the back of her mind. She could still picture her lifeless body on the ground, covered in rubble. The only thing she saw when she closed her eyes was Chelsea's face, pale and unmoving.
"Kyra?" Her mother's voice snapped her into reality. She glanced up to see the coffin had already been lowered into the ground and there was a man looking expectantly at her, "It's your turn darling." Kyra gulped and stepped forward, her legs turning to jello. The world was moving in slow motion as she bent down to grab a handful of dirt. She could hardly feel her hands as she took a deep breath and tossed the dirt onto the coffin. She closed her eyes again, squeezing them shut. It was fruitless, as the tears streamed down her face. She hastily brushed the dirt off against her legs and stepped back. She could hardly see as the tears clouded her eyes. She was really gone. Chelsea was dead.
The rest of the funeral passed in a blur. After saying her goodbyes and listening to dozens of condolences, her parents finally ushered Kyra out the door. She retreated to her bedroom as soon as they arrived back at the house, throwing herself onto her bed, curling up in a puddle of tears again. She picked the letter up off her nightstand, holding it close, rereading it again. 'Dear Ms. Kyra Harding, we are pleased to inform you of your admission to Fanderbold University of Witchcraft and Wizardry'.The war was over. The Battle of Hogwarts had changed everything. It was time for a new start. It was time to leave London behind and forget about this life. Chelsea and Kyra had always dreamed of starting over in America. This would be her new beginning.